I love a good enemies-to-lovers story. Add an arranged marriage, especially in a Mafia setting, and I’m in. That’s why With This Ring had me intrigued right from the start. But while this was a decent read, I wouldn’t really call it “enemies-to-lovers”, more like rivals-to-married-instantly-to-lovers.

Kai and Carter definitely have some tension in the beginning, but it never quite reaches that true enemies level. Kai resists a little, sure, but Carter? He accepts the marriage without much of a fight. And the second they say “I do”? Boom, they’re all over each other.

Look, when I pick up an enemies-to-lovers book, I need the build-up. I need the tension, the push and pull, the angst. I want to feel that struggle before they finally give in. That just wasn’t here, and without that slow burn or emotional conflict, the romance felt a little too easy for me.

That said, it wasn’t a bad book. The premise was solid, and if you’re looking for a fast-paced Mafia romance with some heat, this might work for you. But if you’re craving that delicious slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers tension, you might walk away feeling a little underwhelmed like I did.